Gourdita
J. Wakefield Brewing

 

Tried to 2018 BA Goirdita. Taste of pumpkin. Really excellent beer – reminds me a lot of Firestone Walker Sucaba or Goose Island but with more spice. Phenomenal tasting beer.

our can says 10% abv, not the listed 8% here, but that is almost inconsequential here. this might be the best pumpkin ale i have ever had, and i think everyone around the thanksgiving table agreed, its insane. certainly the most actual pumpkin forward one i have known, with an aroma that reminds me of when you scoop all the stringy seedy slimy goop out of the inside of a pumpkin before you carve a jackolantern. its so raw and wet and fleshy, not roasted or baked or anything, like real squash flesh, easily the most robust and natural expression of that i have ever known in a beer, its seriously absurd how real and bold it is, amazing and shocking really, i wonder how they did it. the flavor has some more balance from the grain, a light malt sweetness too, and some soft pie spices, but it also lets the actual pumpkin itself do the vast majority of the flavoring, which i think is just fantastic. the booze is well hidden, its fluffy feeling and very bubbly and active, and actually has a little yeast character too somehow. i just cant believe the flavor here, its just like real raw pumpkin, but its so ripe and good. the label makes it look like a gimmick, but its anything but. an unforgettable pumpkin beer, a new high point for the style, and a beer that elevates wakefield even more for me. mindblowingly different!!! easily my favorite pumpkin beer of this season.

 

 

 

16oz can poured into a tulip

A- pours a deep amber color with a ruby hue, one finger creamy white head has great retention and leaves some lacing behind

S- aroma is a bit muted at first, with nutmeg leading the way. Undertones of cinnamon, clove & brown sugar

T- initial reaction is that this is sweeter than an average pumpkin ale. Sweet and malty up front, followed by cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. Mid-palate gives notes of brown sugar, vanilla cream and pie crust. The finish stays sweet, which works well with the spicing, lingers of cinnamon and cream

M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a creamy mouthfeel that continues into a silky, velvety finish, abs is hidden well

O- as mentioned before, sweeter than the average pumpkin ale, but not cloying at all. It actually works very well with the spicing and malty notes throughout. Perfect mouthfeel throughout

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

draft at tap and barrel in LI, NY from an oversized wine glass. solid pumpkin brew, but like all pumpkins fairly pumpkiny, meaning sweet and cinnamon. being a jwb I kind of expected more but this is definitely in the conversation w schlafly and alewerks...but after them. not super artificial. good beer if you like this sort of thing.